Flights to Bakersfield

Home of the "Bakersfield sound," Bakersfield is a legendary spot for fans of country music. This Central Valley city is also a college community, an oil town and a leader in U.S. agriculture. With the Temblor Range to Bakersfield's west, the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east and the Tehachapi Mountains and Los Angeles County to the south, Bakersfield is close to plentiful recreation and Southern California attractions. From live music and dancing at Buck Owens Crystal Palace to the 56 historic buildings at Kern County Museum, Bakersfield is a lively, interesting destination. People catching cheap flights to Bakersfield won't have to wait for the fun to begin as most of the city’s attractions are conveniently close to Bakersfield’s Meadows Field Airport (BFL).

Fly to Bakersfield

Both United and US Airways schedule flights to Meadows Field Airport (BFL), connecting travelers to other major U.S. hubs. All passengers use a single terminal, where they enjoy conveniences like a gift shop and newsstand, an eatery and several nearby parking options. A handful of hotels provide shuttle service from the airport, and four major rental car companies are onsite at the airport. In addition, taxis are available on an on-call basis, and you can expect to pay about $29 for a cab ride to downtown. If you plan to travel to other parts of California, Meadows Field is conveniently located just off State Route 99, one of California’s most prominent north-south freeways.

Attractions in Bakersfield

Bakersfield has more sunny days than most California cities, making it the perfect venue for outdoor activities. Four public golf courses provide challenging greens, including Kern River Golf Course and Links at Riverlakes. Walkers can revel in numerous picturesque trails like those at the Park at River Walk. Thrilling rafting adventures on Class I to Class V whitewater rapids are just 30 minutes away. If you’re interested in history and the natural world, check out Buena Vista Natural History Museum's fossils and California Living Museum's wildlife. Of course, a visit to Bakersfield isn’t truly complete until you’ve kicked up your heels to live music at Buck Owens Crystal Palace, savored fresh local produce at Valley Farmers Market and nibbled on Dewar’s famous taffy. Staying at a hotel near the airport puts you within convenient driving distance to all attractions after a flight to Bakersfield, especially downtown sites like Rabobank Arena.

Hints and Tips for Visiting Bakersfield

Bakersfield boasts hot, dry summers and mild winters with only occasional rain. Ground-level Tule fog is common in the region from November to January, and it’s best to build in a little extra travel time to accommodate the fog. Bakersfield’s bountiful harvest supplies many of the local restaurants, where you can expect to spend about $47 for a dinner for two. Music is nearly as important to Bakersfield as its produce, and music plays a big role in city events like The Great 48-Hour Bluegrass Jam in January and the May Bakersfield Jazz Festival. If you're in town during spring, be sure to check out the Cherry Festival, Stampede Days Rodeo and Kern County Nut Festival.